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Past National Commander of the Catholic War Veter ans Honored with AMS Medal

August 21, 2015 - by webfeller

Mr. Jose Garcia receives prestigious award of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA

Bishop Richard B. Higgins presents the Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA, to Mr. Jose M. Garcia, Past National Commander of the Catholic War Veterans of the U.S., on August 15, 2015, in Las Vegas, Nev.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – Mr. Jose M. Garcia, past National Commander of the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) of the United States, has been presented the Medal of the Archdiocese for the Military Services, USA (AMS). His Excellency, the Most Reverend Richard B. Higgins, AMS Auxiliary Bishop and Vicar for Veterans Affairs, presented the Medal to Mr. Garcia at the CWV’s annual convention banquet Saturday, August 15, 2015, in Las Vegas. The AMS Medal is the archdiocese’s most prominent award, presented no more than five times a year, to candidates who demonstrate outstanding contributions to the archdiocesan religious program and who demonstrate an exemplary reputation and character in the practice of faith.

According to the citation accompanying the Medal, Past National Commander Garcia has distinguished himself through exceptionally meritorious service to the AMS from February 1958 to August 2015. Throughout a long and devoted career of service in the U.S. Air Force, Commander Garcia’s overseas assignments included tours of duty in Libya, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Vietnam, and Japan. His stateside assignments included duty in Florida, Missouri, North and South Dakota, Mississippi, Colorado, and Texas. A recipient of numerous military awards and decorations, Commander Garcia retired in the grade of E-7 (Master Sergeant). Embarking on a second career, Commander Garcia worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for 20 years before retiring in 2001.

A lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America, Commander Garcia served in numerous leadership positions, including District Commissioner and District Chairman. A life member of the CWV since 1998, Commander Garcia has served at every leadership level of the organization, including four years as the Department Commander for the State of Texas. He became National Commander of the CWV in 2005. Since that time Commander Garcia has served as Executive Director and National Service Officer. Commander Garcia is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3337, and Post 83 of the American Legion.

Bishop Higgins said:

“Throughout his life, Commander Garcia has modeled the essence of leadership and service. He is a true patriot. His exceptional devotion to his Church, his family, and the many organizations to which he belongs, serves as the finest example of Christian discipleship. Commander Garcia’s life of service reflects great credit upon himself, the Catholic War Veterans of America, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Archdiocese for the Military Services.”